We have a full programme of activities set out for 2025, which aims to contribute to the objectives in our strategy to 2030.
A highlight is our World Groundwater Congress, which will take place in Melbourne, Australia in September. An online congress with a focus on Africa is planned by our Sub-Saharan Region. In addition, many of our national chapters, commissions and networks will have full agendas, from local Hydrogeoday events to celebrate World Water Day, through to international conferences, including several planned in collaboration with other organisations. A notable example is the ‘12th International Symposium on Managed Aquifer Recharge’ (ISMAR 12), which will be hosted by our South African National Chapter in Stellenbosch.
We will also be supporting conferences organised by the Society for Exploration Geophysics online workshop: ‘Improving Understanding and Treatment of Uncertainty in Groundwater Science and Management’; the Institute of Geology Malaysia’s ‘International Groundwater Conference’, in Kuala Lumpur; and the National Ground Water Association ‘Groundwater Week’ in the USA.
We are planning to establish two new lecture series: an annual IAH lecture series; and a series aimed particularly at Spain and Latin America to commemorate Prof. Emilio Custodio, a Spanish hydrogeologist whose lifetime’s work left a lasting legacy for water science and management.
An addition to our Technical Insight Series, on co-managed aquifer recharge, is planned. Work on our Strategic Overview Series will focus on translation of existing publications. A joint online interactive hydrogeology project with IAGRA, highlighting ‘groundwater facts and figures’, is expected to be ready for launching at our Melbourne Congress.
Members in Africa often ask for support on developing their careers. As part of this we will be publishing guidance on continuing professional development, which is aimed at countries that don’t have an established scheme that members can subscribe to. We will also target funding for support to members on lower incomes, particularly in Africa (through our Burdon Fund) for help in participating in conferences; and to chapters in SE Asia (through our Asia Fund) to support regional educational events.